World Business Report

A plot twist in Hollywood has taken place in the last 24 hours, but in the spreadsheets rather than on the screens, as Netflix decides it's not willing to counter Paramount–Skydance's US$111bn bid for Warner Bros Discovery. We discuss what this means for the studio house that brought Bugs Bunny, the Looney Tunes, Harry Potter and the DC Universe to audiences worldwide. Vishala Sri-Pathma hears how US President Donald Trump has directed every federal agency to immediately stop using technology from Anthropic, as the row between the White House and the AI developer continues. Meanwhile, with the United States oil blockage of Cuba continuing for nearly a month, Will Grant reports on the economic and humanitarian crisis engulfing the Caribbean country. And as Pokémon celebrates turning 30 with its first ever theme park in Japan - we find out how a kids’ craze become a cultural heavyweight. Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Asia, Latin America and the USA. (Picture: The Warner Bros. Stu

Paramount-Skydance is the only show in town for ownership of Warner Brothers, with a deal valuing the movie maker and media empire at $111bn. But even if it seals the deal with shareholders and boards it still needs to get past regulators on both sides of the Atlantic. We head to the Balkans, where a multi-billion-dollar rail link between Belgrade and Budapest opens for freight today. We also hear about the secret to Pokemon's success, as the video game characters turn 30.

With a landmark court case in California hearing from a woman who says tech giants Meta and YouTube’s owner Google harmed her mental health as a child, we catch up with our correspondent in Los Angeles, Peter Bowes, on the legal proceedings and discuss how damaging and addictive social media websites can be during a person's formative years. Elsewhere, as Netflix squabbles with Paramount for control of Warner Brothers Discovery and its worldwide franchises including Harry Potter and Superman, we hear from former Paramount executive Guy Petty on why Netflix's CEO Ted Sarandos is heading to the White House. Rahul Tandon speaks to Moritz Riesinger of the IG Metall union in Germany as it comes to a temporary agreement with Elon Musk over its Tesla factory near Berlin. And economist Cary Leahey of Columbia University explains why the latest unemployment figures in the United States has risen once again.Global business news, with live guests and contributions from Europe, Latin America and the USA. (Picture: Suppor

The president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende is stepping down after an investigation into his links with Jeffrey Epstein. The Forum says it found no additional concerns. The price of lithium, a key ingredient in EV batteries, has surged after one of the world’s top producers, Zimbabwe, suddenly banned exports.We also hear from Volvo UK over the recall of electric cars over a fire risk with some of its batteries.

The United States says it will ease restrictions on Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba's private sector as Washington's blockade leads to a worsening crisis on the Caribbean island.Former US treasury secretary and onetime Harvard president Larry Summers retires from his roles at the university. Elsewhere in Milan, Gucci is facing a backlash after using AI to make images to promote its forthcoming show at Milan Fashion Week. Critics have questioned how using AI instead of human models and photographers is in keeping with the fashion giant's values.

The German chancellor, Friedrich Merz, says there is a 'great opportunity' to develop a relationship with China, following a meeting with its leader Xi Jinping, in Beijing.Merz is currently on his first visit to China, which is Germany's biggest trading partner, since becoming leader 10 months ago.Plus a dispute is brewing between Washington and an AI company over military use of its technology.Presenter: Bisi Adebayo Producer: Matt Lines Editor: Justin Bones

President Donald Trump is delivering the 2026 State of the Union address to the nation. We examine how this might affect the state of the US economy. Also what does the business community want to hear in the coming year ? A Florida based business shares his thoughts with us. Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What impact is the war having on the economies of the two countries?And Novo Nordisk is halving the US list price of its most popular weight-loss drug. This comes after the Danish company announced that the trial of its latest weight loss medication CagriSema had under performed.

President Trump's new global 10% tariff comes into force today, and could rise to 15% for all of the US's trade partners.We find out what it means for Americans, and who if anyone could get a refund from the original tariffs.Plus after four years, what is the economic cost of war for Ukraine?Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Matt Lines Editor: Justin Bones

We look at one of the world's biggest trading blocks the EU which has now delayed ratifying its trade deal with the EU. Rahul Tandon talks to the retailer from Colorado and Ulrike Malmendier, a member of the German Council of Economic experts.Also, we find out what is the current situation in Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. And the boss of Netflix, Ted Sarandos tells the BBC its bid for Warner Brothers is better than a rival one from Paramount.

Countries around the world are once again facing a lack of clarity over US trade policy, following the US Supreme Court's ruling that the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are illegal. In response, President Trump said he'll immediately introduce a new fifteen per cent import tax.Both India and the EU postpone progress on trade with the US as they try and work out what new tariff arrangements mean for them.Plus we hear from the boss of Netflix about the ongoing battle to buy Warner Brothers Discovery.

Donald Trump calls the US Supreme Court's decision to strike down his sweeping tariffs "deeply disappointing" as he announces a new 10% levy on global imports.In this special programme we take a closer look at that Supreme Court ruling, with reaction from businesses and global trade experts...and from the toy company which took on President Trump to win the case. And will companies have a fighting chance of gaining compensation for the money they feel they have lost due to tariffs? We hear from one lawyer in Washington D.C who leads an International Trade department.(Picture: U.S. President Donald Trump, holds a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's ruling, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 20, 2026.Credit Reuters/Kevin Lamarque).

We have the latest from New York with the BBC's Michelle Fleury. And we hear from Beth Benike, the owner of Busy Baby baby products in Minnesota. Plus we ask Diane Swonk, KMPG's Chief US Economist what this all means for the US economy?

Buenos Aires comes to a halt as workers stage another general strike over labour reforms, with protestors gathering outside Congress, as politicians inside debated. Also, why has the US trade deficit reached a record-high of $1.2 trillion. And, as Nestlé announces its full years results we hear why the company is selling off its ice-cream business.(Picture: Demonstrators take part in a protest outside Argentina's National Congress on the day lawmakers discuss labor reforms proposed by President Javier Milei's in Buenos Aires, Argentina February 19, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian).

Leanna Byrne looks at the opening of India’s AI Impact Summit, where the withdrawal of Microsoft founder Bill Gates has cast a shadow after he cancelled his keynote appearance. His foundation says he stepped back to avoid distracting from the event.France and Germany are at odds over their joint next-generation fighter jet project, raising doubts about its future.And the IMF warns China is relying too heavily on industrial subsidies.

The Meta boss defended his leadership and answered questions about Instagram, with reports from the courtroom saying he was testy under questioning. Also, why is JPMorganChase opening more than 160 new bank branches in the United States in a world of online banking? And a coffee producer in Brazil explains how climate change has seen coffee bean prices almost double. (Picture: Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer of Meta Platforms, arrives for a court appearance at the Los Angeles County Superior Court in downtown Los Angeles, California, USA, 18 February 2026. Credit: CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock).

We hear from a tour guide in Tokyo as the number of oversees visitors to Japan has fallen for the first time in four years partly because of a big drop in tourists from China after a diplomatic row between the two countriesAlso a farmer tells us about the impact of a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in South Africaand inflation falls in the UKPresenter: Leanna Byrne Producers: Amber Mehmood and Huma Shah Editor: Justin Bones

With the European Union launching a formal investigation into fast fashion giant Shein over the Chinese business’ possible breaches of digital law, we hear from Thomas Regnier on what the EU Commission’s concerns are. Andrew Peach speaks to Oscar-winning film and TV producer Tom Nunan on the latest in Netflix and Paramount’s tug-of-war over Warner Bros. Elsewhere, German drugs giant Bayer proposes to pay more than US$7.25bn (£5.35bn) to settle claims that its weedkiller Roundup causes cancer. And Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz for military drills... but will it affect global oil prices? The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC. (Picture: People walk past a Shein pop-up store at immersive retail space Future Stores, ahead of its grand opening in London, Great Britain, on 24 September, 2025. Credit: Isabel Infantes / Reuters.)

A $35 billion deal would see France delivering over 100 Rafale jet fighters. The talks are taking places as a major conference on AI gets underway in Delhi. Also, Warner Brothers Discovers says it will temporarily re-open negotiations with Paramount Skydance in another takeover twist. And we hear about a mini gold rush near Johannesburg in South Africa.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Craig Henderson

Delhi is hosting an artificial intelligence summit with politicians and tech executives from more than 20 different countries convening in India to discuss how AI could reshape economies and regulation. Elsewhere, Sam Fenwick looks at what a major factory closure means for South Africa's sugarcane farmers. And, who will actually buy Warner Brothers Discovery? (Picture: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) after he inaugurates India AI impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi, India. Credit: PRESS INFORMATON BUREAU HANDOUT/EPA/Shutterstock)

The US entertainment giant accuses ByteDance of stealing its intellectual property by training its new AI tool, Seedance, on Disney characters and images of real-life actors. ByteDance says it will address Disney’s concerns. Plus, Cuba cancels a prestigious cigar festival in a worsening fuel crisis caused by the US blocking oil from reaching the island. And Dave Stewart from the British eighties pop duo, The Eurythmics, talks about his new business venture. Presenter: Gideon Long Senior Producer: Craig Henderson